| Let's face it; kitchen remodeling is almost always | | | | The construction part of most kitchen remodeling |
| done about 5 or 10 years after you wanted it done. | | | | projects will take about a month. That is a long time |
| In virtually every remodel we've ever done, the | | | | to deal with dust, strange people in your home, not |
| customer admitted that they wanted to start the | | | | having the use of your kitchen, etc. At some point |
| project long ago, but kept putting it off because of | | | | during the project (after week two or three) get |
| some stressful situation or another. | | | | away for a long weekend. Your project will survive |
| No doubt, a kitchen remodeling project can be a | | | | without you, and you'll come back with enough juice |
| source of stress. Before you even start you're | | | | to see it through to the end. |
| stressing about things like the cost, agreeing on the | | | | Principle #4: Don't sweat the small stuff |
| best way to do the remodel, and how the new | | | | To borrow part of the title from Richard Carlson's |
| kitchen should look. That's a lot of stress! | | | | book: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff! Mistakes will |
| An associate of mine once claimed that the only thing | | | | happen on your kitchen remodeling project. Period. |
| more stressful on a marriage than a kitchen | | | | End of Statement. Recognize upfront that mistakes |
| remodeling project was a heart attack! While I can't | | | | will happen and recognize that an experienced |
| verify the accuracy or validity of that claim, I readily | | | | remodeling contractor knows how to minimize and |
| admit that kitchen remodeling is a source of | | | | correct mistakes. |
| stress-causing influences on family life. | | | | Principle #5: Approach mistakes with the right attitude |
| I'm of a firm belief that kitchen remodeling should be | | | | Until the final sign-off, your remodeling project is a |
| cause for excitement! Stress may be an unavoidable | | | | work in progress. When you see something that was |
| byproduct of a remodel, but you don't have to lose | | | | done incorrectly, or simply missed, approach it with |
| your marriage over it! | | | | the following attitude: "I noticed X last night when I |
| That's why I came up with the "6 Vital Principles" for | | | | got home. You probably saw it too, but just in case |
| enjoying your kitchen remodeling project: | | | | you hadn't seen it yet I wanted to bring it up." A |
| Principle #1: Start with the end in mind | | | | kitchen remodeling professional will jump at the |
| Always have a good written design/plan. Regardless | | | | opportunity to correct whatever was done |
| of whether your kitchen remodeling project is very | | | | incorrectly and will respond to your positive attitude |
| basic, or very complex, good plans will ensure you | | | | with a desire to make your day (and project) even |
| get all the elements you want in your project. Plans | | | | better. |
| are a valuable communication tool that always reduce | | | | Principle #6: Hire a professional |
| mistakes during the project. Even if you have to pay | | | | Have you ever tackled a home improvement project |
| a little extra for the design, starting with a clear | | | | (like replacing a toilet) and about a third of the way |
| picture of the finished product will be well worth it. | | | | into the project wish you had paid someone else to |
| Principle #2: Minimize your downtime | | | | do it? Now multiply that feeling by about a billion and |
| There's no way around it. A major kitchen remodeling | | | | you'll know what it's like to tackle your own kitchen |
| project inherently implies downtime in your kitchen. | | | | remodeling project. Even if you hire tradesmen and |
| Your family will be unable to use the kitchen as a | | | | manage their work, you're increasing your stress-load |
| place to gather, cook, eat, do homework, etc. for a | | | | to catastrophic levels! Hire a professional you can |
| while. Since there is no way to eliminate the | | | | trust to manage the construction and give you a |
| downtime, you want to reduce it as much as | | | | dynamite finished product! |
| possible. Because cabinets require the most time to | | | | Ignore the critics; kitchen remodeling is supposed to |
| arrive after ordering, never start demolition until | | | | be exciting! I've had multiple customers shed tears of |
| cabinets have been delivered to the warehouse. This | | | | joy during and after the project. Follow these 6 vital |
| should limit your downtime to no more than four | | | | tips, beat the stress, keep your marriage in tact, and |
| weeks. | | | | enjoy your kitchen for decades to come! |
| Principle #3: Get out of town for a few days | | | | Building more... |